Protecting human life and dignity

The NSW Council of Churches this week called on members of the NSW Legislative Council to vote against a private member’s bill that would legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in NSW.

Council President Dr Ross Clifford said the bill was dangerous and, if enacted, would redefine the value of the lives of some people as not worth living. He said our challenge as a society was to transform the experience of people who are disabled or dying, not to intervene to end their lives.

“For Christians, the Bible makes it clear that human life and human dignity must be protected. We already have good laws and policies that support compassionate care of the terminally ill. If the system is not broken, don’t try to fix it,” Dr Clifford said.

Euthanasia bills have been defeated before in NSW. When carefully defined, the concept lacks popular support and it is impossible to provide adequate safeguards against abuse.